The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-08-04
[Scientific Americana
Carriers of COntagiOn.


actual conveYers of contagion. The
fly can communicate virus from an
open sore, and can carry this from one
person or place to another. This
may not be credited, but it has been
proved by direct experiment to be not
only possible, but an actual fact. The
common house fly, by lighting on
disease d spot, Ell. her in an animal or
man, and thence passing to d healthy
subject, has been known to Inlpart the
Infection to the latter. w neither the
poisonous matter be an animal virus
or germ of disease, "a bacillus, does
not matter; and in tins connection it
Is well to speak of other common
methods of possible disease infection.
A postage stamp may in various ways
convey contagion. One of the SIM
plest and most plausible is that in
which postage stamp, partially at
tached to a letter to pay return post
age, is sent by a person infected with
some disease to another person. The
disease is transferred, in the first place.
to the adhesive stamp through the
saliva, and in being attached to the
letter by the receiver the poison may
be transmitted to him in turn through
the saliva.
Another cause may be She infection
of the stamp with disease germs. The
stamp, having been exposed in room
where diseased person lies, may be
slightly moistened and thus retain the
germ. That this is true can be proved
very simply by microscopical exam
ination. 1t is even possible that an
active and tangible poison, as arsenic,
may accidentally or Intentionally be
attached.
We often see a person holding
change for a moment in the mouth,
probably not knowing that investiga-
ton has shown that disease germs can
be carried by money. If one could see
through what hands the money had
passed, they would hesitate before US
ing such third hand. Silver money
is as bad as paper money; but while
many would hesitate to hold dirty
bank note in their mouth, they think
that silver piece, because it is bright,
is apparently clean.
Cigars may convey contaglon, es-
pecially syphilis We have seen
note in which physician gave as an
excure for not loaning a light to
friend, that he was afraid Of couta-
eion; but if he was so afraid he should
have been consistent and refused to
smoke the cigar. Cigar wrappers are
in the cigar factories, especially in
Cuba, moistened with the lip and
and tongue, and the girls who roll the
wrappers are by no means Of the high
est reputation. Disease can be car
ried in this way. Tobacco, contrary
to the common belief, does not destroy
disease germs, and smoking will not
confer immunity from contagion.
Any one who uses a towel in COM
mon with the public, or a piece of
soap, Or brush and comb, or any re-
quisite Of the toilet, runs the risk Of
possible infection. The subject of
antisepsis, simply another word for
cleanliness, has not necessarily brougt
to light many new facts, but has set
people to thinking Of old ones. The
germ theory of disease is to most peo-
pie very vague one. There is gen.
eral idea that disease is carried by
germs, and that the air is filled with
these, and it is wonder to most peo-
that every one is not sc afflicted, the
laity conclude the germ theory an alb
surbity and contradiction. They do
not consider the element Of fertile
soil. The germ is the same as seed,
and all organic bodies are reproduced
by seed We must plant seed in a
soil suitable for it, and the surround
ings-heat and moisture-must be
adapted to it if it is to grow. AS we
descend in the scale of organic life, we
find that some Of the lower animals
can hardly be distinguished from
plants, and these are reproduced not
by seed, but by a process of division
or budding. 4 part of the animal is
divided or separated, and forms a new
animal.
As we descend the scale, we find
that instead Of seeds we find spores,
as in ferns: but these serve the pur-
pose Of seeds, and demand a fertile
soil before they can grow. Of many
million spores, but one or two may
serve their purpose; the rest die with
out giving any result. As we de-
scend still lower, we find that fungi
and moulds need not only a fertile
soil, but peculiar soil, and many of
them will not grow except IN or on
another organic body.
In medicine, common example is
the ergot of rye. Another is corn
smut. These, III addition to requiring
peculiar soil, undergo an ''alterna-
ton of generation" For example, corn
smut is first reproduced on the bar
berry leaf as ''rust," and this rust in
turn produces corn smut. The theory
Of disease germs is founded on the
knowledge Of the actions Of the lower
animals and plants. The bacillus
may be an animal or it may be a
plant, poisonous in itself or simply
carrier of contagion 1t may even be
IA result of disease, and have nothing
to do with its cause except as a for
eign body. Still as we find it present,
and find it always present, we are
necessarily induced to believe that it
is an active agent, but in order to re-
produce itself must have fertile soil.
This it finds, as rule, in person
whose constitution is run down from
overwork, lack Of rest, poor living, or
disease. It may be introduced into
the system, directly into the blood,
through an open wound, thus induc-
ing septicamia, a state OF poisoned
blood, or it may be introduced indi-
rectly into the blood through the ali
mentary system. In this case it must
be inhaled or eaten with food. In
either case it is absorbed, or perhaps
actively works itself through the mu-
cous membrane. Once in the blood,
the bacillus grows. as a rule, by divi-
sion, and multiplys to an enormous
extent Disease may be carried by
virus, which may in turn consist
&c loo,11, oE nn+rofnoL,